Personal money, passport and documents

Personal money, passport and documents is an additional section of cover that is added to the travel insurance policy. It is there to cover the accidental loss, theft or damage to personal money or documents, which included unused portion of a passport. It will extend to include visas, driving licences and the cost of the emergency replacement or temporary passport or visa.

Foreign currency is covered for the 72 hours immediately before your departure on your outward journey. There will be maximum limits under the policy and the wording would need to be checked to see how much can be claimed.

There are some special conditions that relate to claims and the action you would need to take should you be faced with a claim.

You must report to the local Police in the country where the incident occurred within 24hours of discovery, or as soon as possible after that and get a written report of the loss, theft or attempted theft of all personal money, passports or documents.

If personal money or passports are lost, stolen or damaged while in the care of a hotel or your accommodation provider, you must report (at your own expense) to them, in writing, details of the loss, theft or damage and get written confirmation. Keep all travel tickets and tags for submission if a claim is to be made under this policy.

If documents are lost, stolen or damaged while in the care of a carrier, transport company, authority, hotel or your accommodation provider you must report to them, in writing, details of the loss, theft or damage and obtain written confirmation.

If documents are lost, stolen or damaged whilst in the care of an airline you must:

get a Property Irregularity Report from the airline.

give formal written notice of the claim to the airline within the time limit set out in their conditions of carriage (please keep a copy).

keep all travel tickets and tags for submission to us if you are going to make a claim under this policy.

You must provide proof of ownership for items lost, stolen or damaged as this will help you with your claim.

It is not possible to provide cover for ever eventuality and it is always best to check your policy wording on what may not be covered. The following will be items that you will be unable to claim for.

The policy excess as shown in the summary of cover for each and every claim per incident claimed for under this section by each insured person.

Loss, theft of or damage to personal money or your passport or visa left unattended at any time (including in a vehicle, in checked in luggage or while in the custody of a carrier, tour operator or public transport operator) unless deposited in a hotel safe, safety deposit box or left in your locked accommodation.

Loss, theft of or damage to travellers’ cheques if you have not complied with the issuer’s conditions or where the issuer provides a replacement service.

Loss or damage due to delay, confiscation or detention by customs or any other authority.

Loss or damage due to depreciation (loss in value), variations in exchange rates or shortages due to error or omission.

Travel, event or entertainment tickets paid for using any airline mileage or supermarket reward scheme (for example Air Miles or Avios points), unless evidence of specific monetary value can be provided.

Anything mentioned in the General exclusions.

In the event of a claim you will be asked to provide claims evidence in support of your loss. Depending on the nature of your loss the following may be requested.

A Police report from the local Police in the country where the incident occurred for all loss, theft or attempted theft.

A Property Irregularity Report from the airline or a letter from the carrier where loss, theft of damage occurred in their custody.

A letter from your tour operator’s representative, hotel or accommodation provider where appropriate.

All travel tickets and tags for submission.

Proof of ownership should take the form of currency exchange receipts, cash withdrawal slips or bank statements.

Receipts or bills for any transport and accommodation expenses claimed for.

Receipt for all currency and travellers’ cheques transactions.

It is always best to contact insurers as soon as a claim arises as they will then provide full information on the documentation that will be required for the situation.